Shock-absorbing mechanism



* 1,616540 Feb. 8,1927. RSMORGAN SHOCK ABSORBING M EGHANISM Filed Auen. 21, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet, l

l Feb* 84 927, P. s. MORGAN SHOCK ABsoRBING MEcHA-Nrsg` Y Filed Amun'.v 21. 1922" -3 Sheets-Sheetz Show/woz 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed A112. 21. 1922 Por/er Marga/7. 323%@ @Moz/n s GWW'WWQ'MFOM,

Patented Feb. 8, 192.7.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT -oFFic-E;

PORTER S. MORGAN, OF NORWALK, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO MORGAN IBLODGETT MORGAN, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A GOlEtlERATION 0F NEW YORK.

SHOCK-ABSORBING MECHANISM.'

Application filed August 21, 1922. Serial No. 583,308.

This invention relates to improvements in shock-absorbing mechanisms. Among the objects of the invention'are the production of a compact device, easy to manufacture,

assemble and install, constructed to withstand the high pressures consequent .upon its operation, susceptible of ready adpistment without the necessity of detaching or disassembling, and to be so mounted and arranged as to require the least practicable space; together with numerous other valuable features of construction, operation and arrangement not heretofore obtained in previous devices of this class.

The accompanying drawings illustrate kone selected embodiment of the invention, wlierein- Figure 1 shows upon a somewhat reduced scale a side elevation of the absorber proper and its interconnected mechanism.

Figure 2 shows, in full size, a perspective view thereof; and' Figure 3 is a cross section taken on th line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the shock absorber proper is cylindrical. in shape, vits working parts being contained withina casing 1, the lower end of which,

2, is pivoted in any suitable manner to the 3" axle of the vehicle.- The absorber proper lies between a pair of arms 3, pivotedto the axle and alsopivoted to the arm 4, the. free end vof which is ivoted tov the chassis or frame of the'vehic e, y

' 3.3; j Entering one-end of the cylinder 1 is the pistonfrcid `5, which is provided with a head j "16 pvoted vtothe extension 7 of the arm 4, "with the result that relative movement between tlie arms 3 and 4 results in correy sponding movements of the piston rod 5 -into and out of tlie-e linder 1. c

' Referring particu arly lto Figure 3 for the.l interior construction and operation of the absorber ro er, the casing 1 surrounds an interior cy in er 8, which may be termed the pressure c linder, and the interior of which may be esignated the pressure Vchamber, into which projects the piston rod 5, whichhas at-its inner'` end the piston 9. The piston 9 is provided with a central opening 10 which may be ad'ustably restricted by means of the pointe spindle 11. The spindle is disposed in a central lon itudinal v bore extending throughout t e length of the piston rod 5, and has a screwthread engagement with the piston rod at its outer end. The spindle 11 projects through the head 6 to permit manual adJustment by turning, a slot being provided in the outer end of the spindle for this purpose.

The inner end of the piston rod 5 is made hollow to provide space for an annular packing 12 surrounding the spindle and held in pla-ce by the gland 13, below which are two openings 14 through the hollow piston rod, establishing free communication between the interior of the pressure 'chamber back of the piston, through the piston opening 10 to the other side of the piston.

At the lower end of the pressure chamber is an inwardly-opening, spring-closed valve 15, covering apertures 16 which communicate vthrough the passages 17 with the space 18 between the casing 1 and the cylinder 8, which may be called the auxiliary chamber. This auxiliary chamber also communicates with the pressure chamber behind the `piston 9 by means of the opening 19.

The upper end of the pressure chamber is closed'by a terminal collar or annular gland 20 i surrounding the piston 5. This gland 20 is adapted to'embrace and support one of a pairv of packing rings 21 and 22 held in position by a pressure spring 23 disposed between them, the surrounding parts being shaped to provide a -chamber or trap 24 which communicates with the auxiliary. chamber 18 by the passages 25.

On the side of the cylinder 1 is provided a-usual filling plug 26 whereby the device may be charged with oil or the like.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the chassis and axle of the vehicle approach each other the piston9moves upwardly: i. e. toward the packing gland 20.

In response to the rarefaction caused by this movement ofthe piston, the valve 15 rises against the pressure of its `closing spring, thereby uncovering the apertures 16, and the fluid contained in the auxiliary chamber 18 is drawn freely through the passages 17 and apertures 16 into the lower end of the pressure chamber `following the movement of the piston.

When however, the chassis and axle of the vehicle move away'ifrom each other the piston 9 is moved in the opposite direction. This' results in the immediate closure of the valve 15, trapping the oil between this valve and the piston 9, andleaving as the only 11 egress for the oil so trapped the passage l through the piston. As this passage may be restricted as desired, the rate of piston movement invthis direction may be governed as necessary and thus-the rate at which the chassis and the vehicle may move away from each other.

To prevent the chassis striking the axle, the movement of' the piston 9 towards the gland l2O is retarded when and if the piston moves suiciently far in this direction to cover the aperture 19. In this event oil would be compressed between they piston and the gland without egress except between the gland and the piston rod 5 and past the packing ring 21 into the trap 24. Arrived 1n this trap the pressure of the oil is reduced so that instead of leaking between the piston rod 5 andthe packing ring 22 it will return through the passages 25 to the auxiliary chamber 18.

Disposed between the piston rod head 6 and the end of the cylinder 1 is the pressure spring 27 which exerts a continuous pressure between the elements mentioned and maintains a continuous tension between the arms 3 and 4, the absorber casingvl and all their connections with each other and with the arts yof the vehicle. This prevents any rattiing or looseness which may develop from wear or otherwise.

It will be observed that this shock absorber mechanism is exceedin ly compact; that the absorber proper lies su stantially in the plane of one of the arm members connecting it to the automobile; and that it consequently occupies a minimum of space. It w1 l also be observed that the absorber proper is simple in construction, contains few operating parts, and those parts so disposed and constructed as to withstand all pressure and wear consequent upon operation; and that the absorberA may be adjusted while in position without disassembly and without eing disconnected from its associated velements.'

Having described one. specific embodiment of the invention, without limiting it thereto, I claim:

'Y l1. A shock-absorbing mechanism. comprising in combination an arm pivotallyattached at one end to the vehicle chassis-or frame and provided with an integral angularly dispo-sed extension at the opposite end, a pair of arms pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle axle and pivotally attached at their opposite ends to the first-named arm, a` cylindrical hydraulic retarding member ligated between the pair of arms and pivotally* attached to the vehicle axle and operatively connected to said extension of the first-'named arm, and a pressurespring located betweenand exerting pressure upon said hydraulic retarding member and said extension.

attached at one end t`o the vehicle axle and pivotally attached at their opposite Aends to the first-named arm, a hydraulic retarding member located between the pair` of arms, pivotally attached to the vehicle axle and operatively connected tosaid extension,

and a spring located between and exert-ing pressure upon -said retarding member and said extension.

3. A shock-absorbing mechanism comprising in combination an arm pivotally attached to the vehicle frame and provided with an extension, an arm pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle axle and pivotally attached at its opposite end to the firstnamed arm, a hydraulic retardingv member pivotally attached to the vehicle axle and operatively connected to said extension, and a spring located between and exerting pressure upon said'retarding member and said extension.

4. A shock-absorbing mechanism comprising in combination an arm pivotally 'attached to the vehicle frame, an arm pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle axle and pivotally attached at its opposite end to theA first-named arm, a hydraulic retarding member pivotally attached to the vehicle axle and operatively connected to the irstnamed arm, and a spring located between and vexerting' pressure on said retarding 100'@ member and said first-named arm.

5. A shock-absorbing mechanism comprising in combination an arm pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle frame and provided with an integral angularly disposed extension at its opposite end, a pair of arms pivotally attached atone end to the vehicle axle and pivotally attached at their opposite ends to the first-named arm, a hydraulic retarding member' located between the pair of arms and substantially parallel thereto pivotally attached to the vehicle axle and operatively connected to said extension of the'irst-named arm. 6. A shock-absorbing mechanism comprising in combination an arm pivotally attached to the vehicle frame and provided with an extension, a pair of arms pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle axle and pivotally attached at their opposite end to the first-named arm, a hydraulic retarding member located'between the pair of arms 4and substantially parallel thereto, pivotally attached to the vehicle axle and operatively connected to said exten-sion. f

7. A shock-absorbing mechanism comprising in combination an arm pivotally attached to the vehicle frame and provided with an extension7 an arm pivotally attached at one end -to the vehicle axle and parallel to one of said arms and operatively pivotally attached at itsop ositc end to the first-named arm, and a hy raulic retarding member pivotally attached to the vehicle axle and operatively connected to said extension.

8. A shock-absorbing mechanism comprising in coiiibinaton anv ai'iii pivotally at? arm, the point of attachment to the vehicle frame and tlie"`point of attachment to the axle lying in the saine; vertical plane transverse to the vehicle.

9. A shock-absorbing mechanism coinprising in coinbinat'on an aim operatively connected to the vehicle frame, a second arm operatively connected with the first-v named arm and with the vehicle axle, and a retarding member disposed substantially interconnected therewith and with the other arm, the point of connection to the vehicle frame and the point of connection to the vehicle axle lying in substantially the saine vertical line.

a piston inte ral with said pistonrod and` Athen-shy longitudinally,movable within said cylinder, an Vunrestricted opening back of said pston between said auxiliary chamber and the interior of said cylinder, an adjustably restricted passage through said piston, adjusting means 4therefor extending through the piston rod so as to be externally accessible, a passage between said auxiliary chamber and the interor of said cylinder in front of said piston, Valve means permitting free-flow throughsaid passagejfrom' said auxiliary chamber in to the interior of said cylinder in front of said piston but adapted to prevent How in the opposite di-l rection whereby the movement of the piston in one direction is free and in the opposite direction retarded, a terminal collar forming in effect the rear end of said inner cylinder and surrounding .said piston, an annular fluid-trapping chamber back of said collar and connecting with said auxiliary chamber, whereby any'fiuid forced past said terminal collar may return to said auxiliary chamber without further leaking 'past said piston.

11. A hydraulic shock absorber comprising in combination a cylindrical casing, an inner cylinder therein spaced therefrom and concentric therewith to form an auxiliary chamber-between said casing and said cylinder, a piston rod extending through said casing into sad cylinder, a piston operatively integral with said piston rod and longitudinally movable-within said cylinder, "an opening back of said piston between said auxiliary chamber and the interior of saidV cylinder, an adjustably restricted passage through said piston, adjusting means therefor .accessible from outside the ab;oi'ber, a passage between said auxiliary chamber and the interior of said cylinder in front of said p'ston, valve means permitting t'ree flow therethrough in one direction but preventing How in the opposite direction, and means to prevent leakage of contained fluid.

12. A hydraulic shock absorber. comprising in combination a casng, a closed cylinder therein spaced therefrom to form an said cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, an opening on one side of said piston between said auxiliary chamber and the interior ot' said cyl'nder, a passage through said piston, an opening on thc other side of said piston between said auxiliary chamber and the interior of said cylinder, means for preventing flow in one direction through one of said openings, and means for restricting flow througli'said piston.

13. A hydraulic shock absorber comprising in combination a cylindrical cas'ng. an inner cylinder therein spaced therefrom to forni anl auxiliary chamber between said casing and said cylinder, a piston longtudinally movable within said cylinder, an opening back` of said piston between said auxiliary chamber and the interior of said cylinder, a passage through said piston, means for adpistably restricting the same. a pasfage between said auxiliary chamber and the interior of said cylinder iii front ot said piston, and means permitting free flow through said passage in one direction but preventing free How iii the opposite direction.

14. A hydraulic shock absorber comprising'in combination a cylindrical casing, a. cylinder therein -concentric vtherewith and spaced therefrom to form' a chamberbetween said casing and said cylinder, a 4piston longitudinally movable within said cylinder, an opening between said-chamber andthe interior ot saidcylinderfor permitting fluid to flow therebetween as impelled by said piston, means to retard the movement of said piston in one direction and means for ad-` justing the retarding means.

'auxiliary chamber between said casing and llO 15. A hydraulic shock absorber comprisingin combination a casing, a closed cylinder therein spaced therefrom to form a chamber between said casing and said cylinder, a piston longitudinally movable within said cylinder, an opening between said chamber and the interior of said cylinder for permitting fluid to flow therebetween as impelled bysaid piston, and adjustable means to retard the movement of said piston in one direction.

16. A hydraulic shock absorber comprising in combination a pressure chamber, a piston movable within said pressure chamber, an auxiliary chamber, an unrestricted communication bet\veen said pressure and auxiliary chambers on one side of said piston, a passage connecting said pressure and auxiliary chambers on the other side of said piston adapted to permit free How in one direction and to prevent flow in the opposite direction, and a manually adjustable passage through said piston whereby to. control the movement thereof in one direction.

17. A hydraulic sliock'absorber comprising in combination a pressure chamber, a piston movable therein, an auxiliary chamber, unrestricted con'in'iunication between said pressure and auxiliary chambers on one 4side of said piston, a passage connecting said pressure and auxiliary chambers on the other side of said piston adapted to permit free flow in one direction and to prevent flow` in the opposite direction, and a passage permitting restricted flow from the pressure side of said piston to the other side thereof.

18. A hydraulic shock, absorber comprising in combination a casing, a closed cylinder therein, an auxiliary chamber between said cylinder and said casing and in communication with -tlie interior of said cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, means for retarding its movement in one direction and means accessible externally of the device for adjusting the retarding means.

19. 'A shock yabsorbing mechanism comprising, in combination, an arm pivotally attached to the vehicle frame, an arm pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle axle and pivotally attached at its opposite to the first-named arm, said compression member being readily extensible but being provided with means for retarding the compressive movement thereof, together with a spring tending' normally to extend said compression element.

21. A compression element for a shockl absorber comprising a cylindrical casing, an inner cylinder therein spaced therefrom and .concentric therewith to form an auxiliary chamber between said casing and said cylinder, a piston movable withln said cylinder, a passage through said piston and 'means accessible exteriorly of the element for adjustably closing said passage.

. 22. A hydraulic shock absorber comprising in combination a casing 1, a closed cylinder 8 therein, an .auxiliary chamber 18 between said cylinder and said casing and in communication with the interior of said cylinder 8 and a piston 9 movable in said cylinder, said piston having a restricted passage 10 for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough to retard the movement of the piston in one direction, and means accessible ine' the o ening of the substantif; ly as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my restricted passage August, 1922. l

vPORTER S. MORGAN.

from the exterior of the cylinder for adjust- 'name ,to this specification this 15th day of hij r- 

